December 18, 2020
I first started the County Administrator’s Digest to the Board of Commissioners in 2004, shortly after beginning my duties as County Administrator on December 29, 2003. I used a similar tool in the nearly nine years that I served as South Haven City Manager and found it to be a great method to keep the elected body, that I report to, informed as to what is going on in the organization. In between South Haven and Ottawa County, I worked as the Deputy County Administrator in Kent County and my boss there, Daryl Delabbio, used a similar publication which I believe was called the week that was. The goal was always to put the Digest out weekly to begin with and at various times, in between then now, I did hit that mark. There were many months where I would update the Board but in a less comprehensive manner.
I was amazed by the strong hunger for information in the early days of the Digest. It wasn’t long before I expanded the distribution list to department heads, elected officials, Judges, and ultimately all County employees. Later, local government mayors, supervisors, managers, and council and board members were added as was our state and federal Ottawa County legislative delegation and the media. Today, the Digest is distributed to over 2,000 individuals and is put out over GovDelivery. Typically, the Digest is opened by over 800 individuals within the first half-hour that it is received.
There are many contributors to the Digest and I include the name of the individual who submits an article in parentheses behind the title of the article so due credit is given and so reader questions can be directed to the correct person.
If anyone reading this has suggestions for improvement, or ideas for articles (either for County staff to prepare or that you'd like to submit yourself) please send these to the attention of Regina MacMillan at rmacmillan@miottawa.org.
I hope that the Digest is a place of interest and learning and hopefully once in a while a little fun too.
I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-Al
-by Jessica VanGinhoven
Ottawa Sands Master Plan
Ottawa Sands is located at an intersection of two of the county’s largest greenways - the Lake Michigan coast and the Grand River. Its location creates an opportunity for a unique regional destination that could inspire future nature lovers for generations.
 Concept Development
Following months of public input and information gathering, master plan concepts were released in the fall. From these, a single preferred concept was produced, based on feedback from the community and presented to the Parks Commission in November. An updated version of the plan was approved at the December Parks Commission meeting. For more information about the plan, visit: miOttawa.org/ottawasands
 Next steps
Currently, there is little funding available for site improvements, although accessibility is a top priority. Other developments are likely many years into the future.
*The following info is available as images as well; I would not include both – either text or images, whatever fits best*
Recreation & Amenities
8% of the site is slated for future development
- Barrier-free access
- Kayak access
- Regional greenway trail connection
- Day-use recreation area on lake (no motorized boating)
- Low-impact camping located only in area disturbed by mining operations (modified based on public input)
- Riverfront improvements
Ecology & Natural Resources
31% of the site to undergo intensive ecological restoration
- Lake shoreline - re-shaping and habitat improvement
- Dunal wetland - establishment of new wetland in previously mined areas
61% of the site will undergo moderate restoration to improve ecological health
- Removal of invasive species
- Habitat improvement based on wetland and herpetological studies
 Pigeon Creek Park – lights & extended hours!
New hours: Pigeon Creek Park is now open from 7 am-10 pm year-round. After daylight savings time each year, the LED trail lights will turn on at dusk and remain on until the park closes.
The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission voted to extend park hours at Pigeon Creek Park at their monthly meeting on December 2.
"Regular winter park hours (7 am-8 pm) begin on October 16 each year," said Jason Shamblin, Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Director. "Although, with three miles of lit trails and no snow to begin our winter operations, the commission agreed to extend the park hours for hikers and bikers to 10 pm."
As usual, when winter operations begin and trails are groomed for cross-country skiing the park will close to hikers, dogs, and mountain bikers.
"We are so pleased to be able to make this adjustment at Pigeon Creek Park, especially during these stressful times," said Shamblin. "By the time many of us finish with our work day, myself included, it's too dark to get out for a hike. Between turning on the trail lights and extending our operating hours, we hope to help more individuals and families spend more time outside."
After publishing its first Sustainability Plan in 2017, the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Department began to transition to LED trail lights. Making this switch has allowed the lights to remain on more often without additional cost.
Pigeon Creek Lodge & Equipment Rental
Ski and snowshoe rental will be available at the Pigeon Creek Lodge this year! We believe getting outside is more important to our health and wellness than ever. Although, visitors should expect some adjustments to our operation this year:
- Masks/face coverings will be required everywhere except out on ski/snowshoe trails, including the sledding hill.
- Rental equipment is only available during satisfactory snow conditions and our rental hours have changed. Before you visit, check our trail conditions page for lodge and rental information: org/trails
- Ski and snowshoe rental will be available in the lodge. Capacity will be limited inside the rental area; be prepared to wait outdoors.
- The Lodge will not be open for warming or concessions. Please bring your own snacks and beverages, and be prepared to use your vehicle as base camp.
- Modern restrooms in the lodge will be open.
For more information, please visit: https://miottawa.org/Parks/winter-rec.htm
Al was recognized by ELGL as one of the top 100 influencers in local government.
Read the article HERE.
-by John Shay
Ottawa County is working on plans to design and construct a new Family Justice Center courthouse, which will house the Friend of the Court (FOC) and the Juvenile Court operations under one roof at the Fillmore Street Complex. In order to create a facility that meets the long-term needs of the County and the public, the County will participate in the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method of designing and constructing buildings.
IPD is a process by which a team involving an architect, general contractor and key subcontractors work together from day one to design and construct a building in a collaborative fashion. This allows the people that will be constructing the building to have input in the design of the building in order to make it more feasible to construct at less cost.
Another important aspect of IPD is that the members of the IPD team (architect, general contractor and the key subcontractors) put 100% of their profits at risk in order to meet the Target Cost that is established after the project has been validated. In other words, once the IPD team has completed its preliminary design and cost estimates, a Target Cost is established. If the IPD team designs and constructs the building at the Target Cost, then it receives 100% of its profits. If the actual costs exceed the Target Cost, then the IPD Team’s profits decrease dollar-for-dollar to the extent that the actual costs exceed the Target Cost. The IPD Team is also incentivized to have the actual costs come in below the Target Cost by sharing in any such cost savings with the County. This method provides a strong incentive for the IPD Team to find the most cost-efficient ways to design and construct the building while still meeting the specifications for the project.
It is our understanding that this project would be the first IPD project in Michigan. It has been used with great success in the private sector and healthcare fields in other states. We are confident that this project may serve as steppingstone for other public-sector organizations in Michigan to use the IPD method to design and construction public facilities.
The County has already approved the IPD Agreement with the architect and general contractor. We plan to hold a series of kickoff meetings with the IPD Team shortly after the New Year in order to begin the design work.
168 Acres Preserved in Chester Township
Click HERE to view the MLive article highlighting the Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program.
-by Al Vanderberg (with John Shay and Brett Laughlin)
Perhaps the biggest issue that the State was grappling with was how to fix the roads and bridges in Michigan and the Governor and Legislature were miles apart on how best to accomplish this. Early this year, the Governor announced that she planned to sell bonds to address some of the road issues. Then COVID-19 hit and it seems that road issues were all but forgotten as the State geared up to meet the pandemic crisis. Earlier this week, Commissioner Dannenberg asked whatever happened to the Governor’s plans to bond and where is the transportation funding issue at this time. John Shay received some information from Bob DeVries and Brett Laughlin also sent some information.
At this time, there is no legislation to increase road funding that has a chance of passing yet this year. However, the State Transportation Commission has authorized the Governor to sell highway bonds. The bond program is $3.5 billion over the next few years. The first installment of $800 million was sold in September with an interest cost of 2.727 percent. When all of the bond sales are complete, it has been estimated that there will be $1.6 billion in interest payments over the next 25 years. The Rebuilding Michigan Bond Program (RBMP / bond program and accelerated projects) is mostly directed for reconstruction and major rehabilitation jobs on the higher traffic volume state highway system in major population centers in Michigan. MDOT-Grand Region utilized the selected bond funded projects for some major freeway projects in the Region, which in turn, allowed MDOT to “accelerate” (also part of the RBMP) other projects in our program.
The MDOT RBMP projects in Ottawa County in 2021-2025 include:
- 2022: WB I-196 reconstruction between I-196 BL (Byron Rd) to 32nd Ave – 100% Bond funded - $42 Million
- 2025: I-196 Business Loop inlay between US-31 and I-196 (minus the section between 88th and 84th Ave) – Accelerated project - $28.5 Million
Other noteworthy, traditionally funded upcoming Ottawa County projects in the Grand Region include:
- 2021 & 2022: US-31 Bascule Bridge over Grand River deck replacement
- 2021 & 2022: Miscellaneous bridge work on US-31 over: South Channel Grand River, M-104, 3rd St
- 2021: M-104 Center left-turn lane addition east of Spring Lake
- 2022: US-31 at Jackson St intersection improvements
- 2022: ITS work throughout US-31 corridor, south Holland area, near M-45, and Grand Haven area (multiple projects)
Please note that projects using funds from the bonds are not issued yet on this side of the state. As projects are obligated, MDOT will begin issuing the appropriate amount of bonding.
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